Cedric Alexander has officially announced his departure from WWE after over eight years with the company, marking the end of a notable chapter in his professional wrestling career. The 35-year-old took to social media on February 8, 2025, to express gratitude for his time spent with the organization. The announcement was characterized by both reflection and anticipation for what lies ahead.
"Thank you for the last 8 1/2 years! Being a professional wrestler has been a dream of mine since I could form memories and I will continue to do so till the good Lord says otherwise. #SeeYouin90," Alexander tweeted, signaling what many interpret as the commencement of the standard 90-day no-compete clause commonly associated with WWE releases.
The timing of Alexander's announcement aligns with recent shifts within WWE, particularly the release of several wrestlers including Sonya Deville and Paul Ellering. According to reports from Fightful Select, WWE informed Deville of her contract non-renewal, and made calls to various talents right before Friday night’s Smackdown, indicating significant shifts within the company's roster.
Alexander’s WWE tenure began auspiciously when he captured the attention of fans during the inaugural Cruiserweight Classic tournament held in 2016. His performance led to overwhelming support from audiences, with chants of “Please Sign Cedric” echoing through the arena, prompting WWE executive Paul “Triple H” Levesque to acknowledge the buzz and eventually sign him to the company. His career within WWE would see him rise through numerous accolades, including becoming the WWE Cruiserweight Champion at WrestleMania 34.
His championship reign, which began with his victory over Mustafa Ali, allowed Alexander to solidify his status as one of the top competitors within the cruiserweight division. Alexander’s work on programs like 205 Live and his involvement with prominent factions such as The Hurt Business are significant highlights of his career. Within The Hurt Business, he formed memorable partnerships with stars like Bobby Lashley, MVP, and Shelton Benjamin, winning the Raw Tag Team Championship at the height of the faction's fame.
Following the breakup of The Hurt Business, Alexander found himself wrestling occasionally as part of the NXT brand, where his recent matches had seen him engaged as both enhancement talent and mentor roles. Despite his efforts, his place within WWE had reportedly diminished, leading to fewer appearances and opportunities on screen.
His last on-screen match took place on January 28, 2025, where he faced Ethan Page. This notable loss marked Alexander’s closing chapter with WWE as he now moves on to explore new avenues following his released status.
While the exact reasoning behind Alexander's release hasn’t been explicitly detailed by WWE, analysts within the wrestling community have speculated based on the current creative direction of the company and its roster. No immediate plans were reportedly set for Alexander, much like the circumstances surrounding the releases of his fellow wrestlers.
Looking forward, many fans and industry insiders are curious to see where Cedric Alexander will land next. With the 90-day no-compete provision meaning he can’t take up wrestling opportunities until early May, possibilities abound but remain uncertain. There has been considerable speculation about his potential signing with All Elite Wrestling (AEW), particularly due to the existing affiliations of his former Hurt Business partners, who have since formed their own faction known as The Hurt Syndicate.
Alexander’s departure reflects broader trends within wrestling where the pursuit of creative freedom and opportunities continues to shape the careers of many wrestlers. His contributions to WWE, particularly his work during significant events and as part of popular storylines, will undoubtedly be remembered by fans as he navigates his next steps.
For the moment, the wrestling world will closely follow Cedric Alexander's future as he forges new paths beyond WWE, carrying with him the skill and passion he displayed during his time with the organization.